THQ evaluating Linux following Humble Bundle feedback

The Humble THQ Bundle may have raked in more money than almost another other Humble Bundle, but not everyone was thrilled with Humble's first AAA bundle. It was Windows-only, lacking the customary Mac and Linux versions, and also busted the 'no DRM' rule with Steamworks games. Pleasingly, counting the money isn't the only action THQ is taking after that, as the publisher's now looking at making Linux editions of games.

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The Humble THQ Bundle may have raked in more money than almost another other Humble Bundle, but not everyone was thrilled with Humble's first AAA bundle. It was Windows-only, lacking the customary Mac and Linux versions, and also busted the 'no DRM' rule with Steamworks games. Pleasingly, counting the money isn't the only action THQ is taking after that, as the publisher's now looking at making Linux editions of games.

Asked on Twitter whether THQ could consider Linux releases, THQ president Jason Rubin responded (via PCGamesN), "Got the Linux message load and clear via #HumbleBundle feedback. Evaluating cost/benefit as we speak."

Of course, the numbers may well say it's not financially viable, especially considering games rely on a lot of middleware which may not necessarily be available on Linux. Still, it is nice that they're looking, and fingers crossed the numbers work out. It'll help that Steam is now expanding to Linux, ensuring a popular and solid store to sell Linux games.

Now, if we could get THQ and others to consider the DRM complaint too, wouldn't that be grand?

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  • reply
    December 17, 2012 12:15 PM

    Alice O'Connor posted a new article, THQ evaluating Linux following Humble Bundle feedback.

    The Humble THQ Bundle may have raked in more money than almost another other Humble Bundle, but not everyone was thrilled with Humble's first AAA bundle. It was Windows-only, lacking the customary Mac and Linux versions, and also busted the 'no DRM' rule with Steamworks games. Pleasingly, counting the money isn't the only action THQ is taking after that, as the publisher's now looking at making Linux editions of games.

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      December 17, 2012 12:31 PM

      Huh. Well, there's a benefit I wouldn't have foreseen.

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      December 17, 2012 12:36 PM

      I wonder if Valve is pushing this a little bit in the background....

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        December 17, 2012 2:27 PM

        Are linux people really all that interested in Steam 'DRM'?

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          December 17, 2012 2:38 PM

          Lots of different types of linux users. There are some that probably wouldn't be interested, but plenty that really just like rolling their own thing or whatnot and would be fine with it.

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          December 17, 2012 2:41 PM

          Linux people are interested in games.

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          December 17, 2012 2:49 PM

          I'm interested in not using Windows anymore. I do 90% of my work in linux these days and run Linux at home as much as possible while still being able to play games.

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            December 17, 2012 7:06 PM

            I would love to switch to Linux for my main machine but its simply too fragmented and no clear standard has emerged to reign in the distributions. That said It is still a great OS in its own right and definitely deserves to have native versions of most games.

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          December 17, 2012 3:30 PM

          The hardcore open source people maybe not but there's a spectrum of Linux users and they're not all Richard Stallman. (Incidentally, I wonder if he even uses Linux or if he clings to Hurd.)

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      December 17, 2012 12:36 PM

      [deleted]

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        December 17, 2012 12:39 PM

        That doesn't necessarily follow. Humble Bundle games historically have linux support and may prove that at least for small to medium sized projects it's viable. THQ may not have seen that sales data before they got involved in their own project with them.

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      December 17, 2012 1:16 PM

      i guess it being windows only doesnt really matter if raked it more money than any other bundle. seeing how the company is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, i doubt mac and linux versions are going to help them out after the cost/benefit analysis

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        December 17, 2012 1:35 PM

        unfortunetly I agree. While it would be great for THQ to support Linux like that, I cant see it helping them out of their current situation. To be honest if they were going to look at support either of those platforms I would have thought Mac would have the bigger user base, therefore more potential customers?

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      December 17, 2012 1:52 PM

      okay first of all, he didn't say they were looking into linux release for anything. His twitter reply probably means "please stop talking to me, but I am not going to say no, because that sounds bad"

      Second of all, THQ, spend your money wisely. Do not waste in on Linux ports because you are this || close to going out of business. You have employees and share holders, don't blow it for them.

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      December 17, 2012 2:33 PM

      [deleted]

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      December 17, 2012 2:45 PM

      Uhh, THQ thinking they may be able to near completely corner a gaming market? They are in desperate times, from what I've heard.

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